§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has received from the European Commission concerning staffing levels on EC energy and environment programmes; what percentage of manpower reductions proposed by the EC in its communication entitled "Matching the European Commission activities with its human resources" will affect energy environment programmes; what assessment he has made of the impact of these reductions on the SAVE energy efficiency programme and the ALTENER renewable energy programmes with particular reference to energy advice agencies; and when he expects these manpower reductions to come into effect. [139709]
§ Mrs. LiddellI have not been consulted on the question of Commission staffing for the SAVE and ALTENER programmes which do not expire until 2002. Questions concerning the redeployment of staff are a matter for the Commission. In due course I expect the Commission to come forward with new proposals for these programmes for the period post 2002 and would need to be assured that the Commission has the resources to manage any new programmes it proposes.